Automatic fire-extinguisher and signaling system.



R. B. HEWITT & J'LG. NOLBN.

AUTOMATIC FIRE EXTINGUISHER AND SIGNALING SYSTEM.

APPLICATION FILED MAY 29, 1903.

Patented NOV. 2, 1909.

12 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

Patentd Nov. 2, 1909. v 12 slmm's-snzn'r-z.

APPLICATION FILED MAY 29, 1903.

R. B. HEWITT & G. NOLEN.

AUTOMATIG vFIE-E EXTINGUISHER AND SIGNALING SYSTEM.

R. B. HEWITT 6; J. G. NOLEN.

- AUTOMATIC FIRE BXTING'UISHER AND SIGNALING SYSTEM.

APPLICATION FILED MAY 29, 1903'.

Patented Nov. 2, 1909.

T j Z army i V '26 T 1 1 5 j 7 Ago 2 $9 1 I o o 112 v 10 ll 10] 9 j08-- I B. B. HEWITT .& J. G. NOLEN. AUTOMATIC FIRE EXTINGUISHER AND SIGNALING SYSTEM.

APPLICATION FILED MAY 29, 1903.

- Patented Nov. 2, 1909.

12 SHEETS-SHEET 4.

R. B. HEWITT & J. G. NOLEN.

AUTOMATIC FIRE EXTINGUISHER AND SIGNALING SYSTEM.

APPLIUATION FILED MAY 29, 1903.

a W m A n w 7 w 2 A 1 00 j Wm 4 N m 1 d 2 L 1 M m m .M a: l0 1 J B. HEWITT & J. G. 'NOLEN.

AUTOMATIC FIRE EXTINGUISHER AND SIGNALING SYSTEM. 3 I APPLICATION FILED MAY 29, 1903 938,859. g

Patented Nov. 2, 1909.

12 SHEETS-SHEET 6.

R. B HEWITT & J. G. NOLEN. AUTOMATIC FIRE EXTINGUISHER AND SIGNALING SYSTEM;

. APPLICATION FILED MAY 29, 1903. 938,859.

Patented Nov. 2, 1909.

12 SHEETSQSHEET 7.

R. B. HEWITT & J. G. 'NOLBN'. AUTOMATIC FIRE EXTINGUISHER AND SIGNALING SYSTEM.

APPLICATION FILED MAY 29, 1903.

. Patented Nov. 2, 1909.

12 SHEETS-SHEET a.

v f l l'l'l l l l t -R. B. HEWITT & I. e. NOLEN. AUTOMATIC FIRE EXTINGUISHER AND SIGNALING SYS TEM.

APPLIOATION F ILBD MAY 29, 1908. v

- Patented Nov. 2, 1909.

12 SHEETS-SHEET 9.

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R. B. HEWITT & J. G. NOLBN.

AUTOMATIC FIRE EXTINGUISHER AND SIGNALING SYSTEM.

APPLICATION FILED MAY 29, 1903 I Patented Nov. 2, 1909.

12 SHEETSSHEET 10.

R. B. HEWITT & J. G. NOLEN. AUTOMATIC FIRE EXTINGUISHEB AND SIGNALING SYSTEM.

Q I APPLIUATION FILED MAY 29, 1903.

938,859; g Patented N0v.2, 1909.

. 12 SHEETS-SHEET 11.

R. B. HEWITT & J. G. NOLEN. AUTOMATIC FIRE EXTINGUISHER AND SIGNALING SYSTEM.

\ APPLIOATION'FII-BD MAY 29, 1903. Patented Nov- 2,

12 SHEETS-SHEET 1.2.

- mmmmg "H E llmumnllll nil UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

RICHARD B. HEWITT AND JAMES G. NOLEN, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS; SAID NOLEN AS- SIGNOR OF ON E-HALF OF HIS RIGHT TO FRANK B. vCOOK, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.

AUTOMATIC FIFE-EXTINGUISHER AND SIGNALING SYSTEM.

Application filed May 29, 1903. Serial No. 159,282.

sprinkler heads until the fire has gained considerable headway. This is due to the fact that the air in the dry portion of the piping must escape through the particular sprinkler heads which have responded to the heat before the water can fill the distributingpipes. Difiiculty has also been experienced in securing certainty of action on the part of the dry pipe valves,it often happemng that a dry pipe valve will, for various reasons, stick and fail to open promptly upon the bursting of some of the sprinkler heads. Again, in dry pipe fire extinguisher systems as heretofore constructed, the dry pipe valves are liable to leak, and with the old arrangement'there was no way of detecting this leakage. of water past the dry pipe valve and into the dry portion of the piping. Furthermore, prior to our invention, automatic fire extinguisher systems have not been equippedwith any efficient signaling apparatus, whereby an at tendant could locate the trouble by simply glancing at a bank of annunciators. K

Generally stated, the objects of our invention are-to remedy the foregoing and other defects and ditiiculties of the old systems. Accordingly, and as a means for obtaining an instantaneous, or practically instantaueous, dischar e of water as soon as one or more sprink er heads open, we provide the drIv portion of the riser with an automatic re ie valve adapted to automatically open and effect a quick, or practically instantaneous, release of the air from the dry portion of the piping upon the openin of one or more of said sprinklerheads. lVealso provide an arrangement whereby the dry pipe valve is controlled by the sprinkler eads to the extent that it will-bepositively opened upon the opening of one or more of said sprinkler hea s. As a feature of further and special improvement, we provide a Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Nov. 2, 1909.

float arrangement adapted to be applied to the riser immediately above the dry pipe valve, and adapted to operate electric switch contacts which are entirely outside of the piping, and which are adapted to control the circuit of a signal alarm device, the float arran ement involving no movable parts exten ing through the piping or the casing of the float. In addition to the foregoing, and as a means for readily locating trouble in the system, we provide a system of electrical signaling involving a bank of annun ciators. The arrangement is such that these annunciators can be employed for readily locating the trouble in the system, one annunciator being adapted to respond to an tampering with the main valve, another annunciator adapted to respond to any tampering with the relief valve, anot'ier annuuciator being adapted to respond to a lowermg of the pressure in the steam pump below the required pBint, another annunciator being adapted to respond to a lowering of air pressure below the required point, and still others being adapted to show whether the various pails, barrels, water-tanks, etc., are properly filled with water. We also provide improved sprinkler heads and variois details and features of improvement acapte'i to increasethe general efficiency of an au omatic fire extinguisher system of this particular character. The nature and advantages of'our invention will, however, he reinafter more fully appear.

In the accompanying drawings: Figure l is a diagram illustrating an automatic fire extinguisher and signaling system involving the principles of our invention. Fig. 2 is a detail diagrammatic view of one of the annunciators. Fig. 3 is a detail of one of the circuit'breaking or signal initiating devices which we associate with the pails, barrels, etc, of the system. Fig. 4 is an enlarged sectional view of the relief valve and associated devices shown in Fig. 1. Fig. 5 is an enlarged sectional view of the dry pipe valve and associated devices shown in Fig. 1. Fig. 6 shows another form of dry pipe valve. Fig. 7 illustrates the method of arranging the piping in a building. Fig. 8 is an en larged sectional view showing another form of relief valve. Fig. 9 is an enlarged sectional view showing another form of dry PIPQVHlVB. Fig. 10 shows the'manner in which the piping of a system employing the valve shown in Fig. 9 is arranged in a building. Fig. 11 is a diagram illustrating the electrical connections of the dry pipe valve and relief valve shown in Fig. 1. Fig. 12 is tic-11s between a dry pipe valve such as the one shown in Fig. 1 and a relief valve such as the one shown in Fig. 8. Fig. 13 shows the card punching device of the clock shown in Fig. 1. Fig. let is a diagram illustrating one method of-using the dry pipe valve shown in Fig. 9. Fig. 15 illustrates our improved sprinkler head, and shows also the method employed for inclosing the wiring extending between the sprinkler head and the dry pipe valve shown in Fig. 14.. Fig. 16 is an enlarged cross-section on line l6l6 in Fig. 15. Fig. 17 is an enlarged side elevation of one of our improved sprinkler heads. Fig. 18 is a. vertical section on line l818 in Fig. 17. Fig. 19 is an enlarged sectional 718W of the upper portion of the sprinkler head shown in Fig. 18. Fig. 20 is a horizontal section on line 2020 in Fig. 17. Fig. 21 shows the top of the improved sprinkler head as adapted for use without the electrical connections. Fig. 22 is an enlarged side elevation of the electro-magnetic devices shown in Fig. 4 for eifecting an opening of the relief valve. Fig. 23 is a plan of the device shown in Fig. 22. Fig. 24 is a horizontal section on line 2-l2 lin Fig. 22. Fig. '25 is an enlarged sectional view of the pressure operated circuit breaking device shown in Fig. 4 for controlling the'normally closed shunt around the electro-magnets shown in Figs. 22 and 23. Fig. 26 is an enlarged sectional view illustrating the pressure operated plunger for tripping the valves shown in Figs. 8 and 9. Fig. 27 is a longitudinal section of the form of float device which we alpplyto different portions of the piping, an which-we combine with electro-magnetic devices for operating sig naling or other devices. Fig. 28 is a crosssection on line2828 in Fig. 27. Figs. 29 and 30 show modified forms of the circuit breaking device shown in Fig. 25. Figs. 31 and 32 are, respectively, a front elevation and a side elevation of the devices and mechanism inclosed in the casing of the master box which we employ for transmitting signals, Fig. 31 being a vertical section on line 31-31 in Fig. 32.

Referring to Fig. 1, the riser 1 can be.

of any suitable known or approved character, and can be provided with the usual distributing pipes 2, the latter leading to the different parts of the building in which the system is located. For the broader ur oses of our invention, the sprinkler ea s 3, mounted on the said distributing pipes, can

be of any suitable known or approved construction. In order, however, that the open- 111g of any one of these sprinkler heads may tion of the riser with a relief valve 4. a diagram illustrating the electrlcal connecr be accompanied by an instantaneous, or practically instantaneous, release of all the air from the piping, we provide the upper por- This relief valve is controlled by the sprinkler heads through the medium of suitable electric circuits and devices hereinafter described, and is adaptedto open and allow the air to escape freely and quickly, and to thereby permit the water to enter the piping and escape from the sprinkler heads as soon as any of the latter are opened. As far as the broader purposes of our invention are concerned, the dry pipe valve can also be of any suitable known or approved construction, preferably, and in order that it may be positively opened bythe sprinkler heads through the medium of suitable apparatus, it is of a character hereinafter described. The main valve 6 can also be of anydesired construction, but'is preferably provided with any suitable device for breaking a circuit when the valve is tampered with. .All of the electrical apparatus involved in the system, as thus shown in Fig. 1, is either connected with or included in aloop 77 extending laterally from the main circuit 8 of a district messenger station. This line circuit can be provided at the central station with the usual central source of current 9, the relay 10, the local battery 11, and the recorder or tape machine 12. Any suitable signal receiving device can be substituted for the apparatus thus shown at the central station.

In order that the apparatus involved in the system may not be without a source of current in case a break occurs in the line 8, we provide a local battery 13, which is preferably bridged across the loop 7-7, and arranged to supply current through the resistance coils 14: connected at each side. Thus the local battery 13 does notinterfere in any way with the normal flow of current over the line and through the various portions of the loop, but is at the same time adapted to' supply current for the operation of various electro-magnetie devices involved in the system, should the system as a whole become out off from the centralized source of current. The said loop'7-7, as illustrated, ex-

tends first by the conductor 15 to the master box or signal transmitting device 16, thence by the conductor 17 through a couple of electro-magnetic devices in the casing of the relief valve 4, by the conductors 18 and 19 to an electromagnetic device associated with the dry pi e valve 5, thence by the conductors 20 a d 21 to a similar master box or signal transmitting device 22, by the conductors 23 to a third master box or signal transmitting device 24:, and finally back to the line by Way of conductor 25. A shunt 26 extends around an electro-magnet in the master box 16 and also around one of the electromagnetic devices in the casing of the relief valve l. A shunt27 extends around the releasing magnet in the box '22, this shunt including a fioat-operated circuitbreaking device :28. A third shunt '29 exciated with the casing of the valve 4 a similar circuit breaking -device associated with the valve 6, float operated circuit breaking devices 30 for the pails 31, a similar float operated circuit-breaking device 32 for the barrel 33, a pressure operated circuit breaking device 34: associated with the tank 35-, another pressure operated circuit breaking device 36 associated with the steam pump 37, and a similar circuit breaking device 38- associated with the water tank 39. A circuit breaking device similar to the one shown in connection with the tank 35 is included in the shunt 26 ofthe box or signal transmitt-ing device 16. The clock 40 and the local alarm 41 are connected in parallel to the battery 13, and are arranged in parallel with all the apparatus or devices included The clock mechanism when operated as a result of a momentary or extended increase in the resistance of the loop is adapted to close the normally open circuit of the bell oralarm 41.

. The circuit breaking devices 30 and 32 can be of the character shown in Fig. 3. As thus.

illustrated, the device consists of a small receptacle 4-2 adapted to hook onto the side of the bucket or other receptacle and provided with an aperture at its. bottom. The upper portion of the receptacle 42 is provided with a couple of binding posts for receiving the shunt wires and also with a couple of contacts 43. These contacts are normally elecwtrically connected by the metallic float 4A,

provided, of course, that the water in the pail or other receptacle is maintained at the proper height. An annunciator 45, of suit able t'orm or construction, is connected in parallel with the circuit breaking device 28. A similar annunciator 46 is connected in parallel with the circuit-breaking device on the main valve 6. is connected in ing device 36. The annuneiator 48 is-connected in parallel with the circuit opening device 38. In a similar way, the annunciator 49 is connected in. parallel with the circuit breaking device 30 on the buckets 31. Another annunciator 50 is connected in par- Another annunciator 4-7 allel with 'the circuit breaking device 3%.

The next annunciator 51 is connected in parallel with the circuit breaking device 82 on the water barrel 33. The remaining annunciator 52 is connected in parallel with the temper or circuit breaking. device on the casing oithe valve 4. If desired, the annunelators can all be arranged in a bank, as

lease of the'air from the piping, thereby parallel with the circuit open Y illustrated in Fig. 1.. Each annunciator can be constructed as shown in Fig. 2. As thus illustrated, the annunciat-or consists of an eleetro-magnet 53 adapted to normally constitute a portion of the circuit. The casin 54 and the insulated spring 54 areadapte however, to constitute a normally open shunt or short circuit about the said magnet. Consequently, ,when the'shutter 56 falls as a re 'opened, the electro-magnets around which it extends are then energized, with the result that the relief valve 4; is opened. This opening of the relief valve, which takes place simultaneously, or practically simultaneously, with the opening'of the sprinkler heads, effects a practically instantaneous repermitting water to instantly open the dry pipe valve 5 and till the distributing pipes. As Will hereinafter appear, the electro-niagnetic device for effecting an opening of the relief valve is also adapted to open a shunt or short circuit connection 58 extending around the electromagnetic device which is associated with the dry pipe valve 5, and which when energized effects a positive opening of the said dry pipe valve. Thus, with the arrangement shown in Fig. l, the sprinkler heads may be said to maintain a certain amount of control over the relief valve and the .dry pipe valve, as the opening of any sprinkler head will cause not only an opening of the relief valve, but also the positive opening of the dry pipe valve. As illustrated in Fig. 1. and as hereinafter more fully described, the dry pipe valve is of that type in which upper and lower differential areas are employed for insuring a sutlicient preponderance of air pressure to hold the valve normally closed. Such being the case,

we effect a positive and automatic opening of this dry pipe valve by automatically admitting water pressure between the two differential areas upon the opening of one or more sprinkler heads. The opening of the shunt 26 also effects a release of the clock work in the box 16, therebycausing a signal to be transmitted over the line circuit to .the signal receiving device at the central station of the district messenger system. Th s signal is of a pic-determined character and is at once recognized at the central station as indicating the presence of fire in the building containing a certain box or signal transmitting device. The resistance introduced into the loop "(7 by the opening of the shunt 26 also causes a suflicient current to be diverted through the parallel connections including the clock and the bell or alarm 41 to operate the former and ring the latter. As will hereinafter be explained, the clock 10 is of the usual form or construction, and is provided with an electromagnetic device for making a puncture in a card or in a disk so as to record the exact time at which the alarm was given. If a leak occurs in the dry pipevalve 5, the water in entering the riser 1 will cause the float-operated circuit breaking device 28 to operate, and thereby introduce the resistance of the annunciator into the shunt 27. The resistance of this shunt 27 being thus increased, sufficient current is diverted through the releasing magnet of the box 22 to release the normally wound up clock work at this box, and thereby cause a signal to be transmitted to the central station over a circuit including the short circuit connection which has been closed around the said annunciator. Thus, .as will hereinafter be described,'the box 22, like the boxes 2% and 16, is adapted to transmit a signal of a pre-determined character over a circuit including this shunt or a portion thereof, so as to indicate a certain thing, and is also adapted to transmit a signal of a different character in case of a mere break in one of the'shunt conductors. The operation of the annunciator 45 will also be accompanied by a recording operation on the part of the clock 40 and a sounding of the alarm 41.

With this arrangement, the attendant or inspector upon hearing the alarm or receiving the signal can easily locate the trouble by simply glancing at the bank of annunciators. In a similar manner, any attemptto tamper with the Valve 4 Will operate both the annunciator 52 and the box 24. Any attempt to tamper with the valve 6 will result in causing the shutter of annunciator 46 to fall, and in causing the box 24 to transmit a signal of a pre-determined character.

Suppose also that the attendant in the building where the system is located neglects to keep the pails 31 filled with water. In such case, one or more of the circuit breaking devices SO will open the shunt 29 and thereby introduce the resistance of the annunciator 49 to the circuit. This also will be accompanied by areleasing of the clockwork in the box 2% and the falling of the shutter of said annnnciator. Again, if the air pressure in the water tank 35 falls below the proper point, the annunciator 50-will be operated, and the box 24: Will transmit the desired signal. So also if the Water in the barrel 33 falls below the proper point, the annnnciator 51 will be operated and the box 24 will transmit a signal. A failure to maintain the proper steam pressure in pump 37 will result in the falling of the shutter of the annunciator a? and the releasing of the clock-work in the box 24. The proper conditions as to water supply must also be maintained in the tank 39, or otherwise the shutter of the annunciator 48 will fall and the box 2% will transmit a signal. And in each and every case, the alarm tl will be sounded and the clock l0 will record the exact time at which the alarm was given. The pipe or riser 1 can also be provided with a pressure operated switch or circuitbreaking device 59, similar preferably to the pressure operated devices 36 and 34c, hereinafter more fully described. This device 59 is connected in the shut 27 and arranged in series with the float operated device 28. An additional annunciator 60 can be connected in parallel with this pressure operated circuit breaking device 59. Vilith this arrangement, a gradual leakage of air from the dry portion of the piping will cause the device 59 to open the shunt 27, thereby causing current to be diverted through the releasing magnet in the box 22 and ,also through the said annunciator 60. As in the other case, the clock -l0 and the alarm t1 will also be operated. The attendant, hearing the alarm, can locate the trouble by inspecting the bank of annunciators. Observing that the shutter of annunciator 60 is down, he will immediately understand that the air is leaking from the dry portion of the piping.

Having thus described generally the i1. ture and operation of our improved automatic fire extinguisher and signaling system, and having explained the various advantages incident to the different features thereof, We will now describe more in. detail the construction of the various devices involved therein.

The relief valve shown in Fig. 1 may be constructed as illustrated in Fig. 4. As thus illustrated, therelicf valve comprises a relatively small disk 61, adapted to be maintained. normally upon the valve seat 62 by the spring (33. The valve stem 64 is also pro vided at its upper end with a relatively large disk 65. These two disks constitute differen-- tial areas for permitting a prepondcrance of air pressure above to overcome the pressure below and there y open the passage controlled by the disk 61. The valve casing is provided with openings 66 through which the air can escape from the riser when the valve is opened. The means for opening the valve comprises the by-pass 67 provided with a normally closed by-pass valve 63. A branch 69 from this by pass leads to the pressure operated circuit breaking device ?O. The valve 68 is held normally closed by means of a permanent magnet 71' and a lever 72, the latter having its with an armature 7 3 normally engaging the poles of the said magnet. The electro-magnet 74 is provided with an armature 7 5 adapted when attracted to draw the soft iron armature 76 into engagement with the poles of the permai ent magnet 71. As will be seen by examining F 11, the current is normally shunted 0.? short-circuited'around this electro-magnet 74 so as to prevent it from being energized. This shunt or short circuit is, however, controlled by the device 70, and hence as soon as a sprinkler head is opened the resulting pulsation in the air pressure will cause the device 7 Oto opensaid short-circuit or shunt. It is obvious that a sudden pulsation 1n the pressure causes the spring 93 to bend, thereby opening the air-- cuit, and .thus allowingthe magnets 74 and 97 to become energized. This will result in a diversion of sufiicient current through the magnet 4-: to energize it and causeit to attract its armature, and thereby draw the soft iron armature 76 into contact with the poles of the permanent magnet. As soon as this occurs, the armature 76 absorbs all the magnetism, of the said permanent magnet, allowing the armature 7 3 and the lever 72 to fly upward. This opens the valve 68, and permits air pressure to pass through the bypass and exert pressure on the top of the disk 65. Owing to the difl erence in area be tween the two disks, the air pressure thus exerted on the disk 65 is suflicient to open the passage controlled by the disk 61, thereby permitting a quick and practically instantaneous release ofthe air from the piping through the opening 66. As soon as the water reaches the top of the riser it operates the float device hereinafter described, and thus spreads the contacts 7 6 which are in the shunt or short circuit 77 extending around the electro-magnet 78. This magnet 78 when energized in this manner by the removal of the short circuit normally closed around itfattracts its armature 79. The said armature when attracted causes the soft iron armature 80 to make contact with the permanent magnet 81, thereby absorbing the latters magnetism and allowing the same to release its normally attracted armature 82 and permit the lever 83 to rise. The said lever in rising opens the valve 84:, and permits the compressed air remaining in the chamber above the disk 65 to escape. In this way. the water automatically effects a clo sure ofthe relief valve before it reaches the outlet 66. Furthermore, the water in entcring the chamber below the disk 61 causes the float 85 to rise and thereby bringthe valve 86 into engagement with its seat 87. This closes the inlet of the by-pa'ss 67 and prexents admission of'wa-ter thereto.

The pressure operated circuit breaking end provided opening at the opposite side. .lever 92 has one end connected device 70 is preferably constructed as shown n Fig. 25,- It may consist of a suitable casmg adapted to provide a chamber '88. At one end of this casing there is a supplemental chamber 89 containing a flexible diaphragm 90. The piping 69 communicates with this chamber 89 at one side of the diaphragm, while the rod or piston 91 is fixed to the diaphragm and projects through an A pivoted with this rod or piston 91, and its other means of a flexible metallic connection 93 with the plunger 94 of the dash-pot 95. The spring contact finger 96 is normally in contact with the flexible connection 93. These stitute a part of the normally closed short circuit or shunt extending about the releasing magnet in the master box 16and the aforedescribed magnet 74. Normally, the air pressure in the piping is sufficient to hold the diaphragm and the movable parts in the position shown in Fig. 25. But upon the opening of a sprinkler head, the pulsation in the pressure is suliicient to momentarily allow the diaphragm to spring back so as to exert a sudden pressure on the plunger 94. This sudden movement is sufficient to slightly bend or buckle the spring 93, thereby causing it to mo've out of contact with the spring 96. Obviously, however, the opening of the circuit in this manner is merely momentary, as the air escapes from the dash pot and allows the spring 93 to again make contact with the spring 96. Such being the case, shunt is opened and thenimmediately closed. Thus, as previously stated, and as hereinafter more fully described, this circuit breaking device is of a character to break the circuit and then instantly close it, so as to not only accomplish the energizing of the two electromagnets, but so as to also leave the short circuit or shunt intact and in such condition a to be available for signaling purposes The releasing magnet 97 of the master box 16 is shown in Fig. 11, as are also the contacts 93 and 96, included in the shunt 26. -lf f The float-operated circuit opening device, 5 can be, and preferably is, constructed as shown in Figs. 27 and 28. As thus illustrated, it comprises a tube 98 screwed'into the side of the riser and adapted to contain the swinging float 99. :The said float carries a soft iron armature 100, adapted to rest normally in contact with the poles of the permanent magnet 101. The said permanent magnet is also provided with-anothersoftiron armature 102, normally out of contact with the permanentmagnet by reason of the 'latters magnetism pletely absorbed by 'the armature 100. The movable armature 102 is mounted on the being normally comend connected by two contacts, the springs 93 and 96, conthe short circuit or lever 103 and is thus adapted to open and close the aforedescribed normally closed contacts 76'. N ow with this arrangement, the water in entering the tube 98 causes the float 99 to rise, thereby allowing the magnetism of the permanent magnet to be exerted upon the armature 102. In this way,

the contacts 7 6 are separated, and the shunt 77 extending around the magnet- 7 8 is broken. The said permanent magnet and associated parts can be inclosed by a box or casing 104 secured to the tube 98 by a padlock or other suitable device 105. This float operated device is of a character to open and close a circuit without the necessity of employing any movable parts which extend through the piping and through the chamber of the float, magnetism constituting the sole medium of connection between the float and the external parts. -The fioat operated circuit breaking device 28 may also be constructed-exactly as illustrated in Figs. 27

. and 28.

The circuit opening device 38 can be of the construction illustrated in Fig. 25. The devices 34, 36 and 59 are, however, of a slightly different character. In. these devices the spring 93 is preferably provided with insulation 106, inasmuch as the variation in the pressure in the tank 35, the pump 37 and the riser 1, when leakage occurs in the latter, is only gradual and does not involve a pulsation which is sufficient to operate the device shown in Fig. 25. A gradual release of the diaphragm 89 will bring the insulation 106 into contact with the spring 96, thereby breaking the circuit and giving the necessary alarm and signal.

The dry pipe valve 5 shown in Fig. 1 is of the construction shown in Fig. 5. It involves a movable valve 107 provided with upper and lower differential areas, the upper area being sufficiently large to insure a preponderance of downward pressure on the part of the air tor the purpose of holding the valve normally closed. Ordinarily, the

releaseof the air from the riser and distributing pipes is suffii zient to allow. this dry pipe valve to open instantly and admit the Water to the distributin pipes. But suppose this dry pipe val ve should become frozen, or s ould for any other reason stick and refuse t open when the air pressure is released. Now in. order to guard against difiiculty of this character, we provide a bypass 108 extending from a point below the valve to the chamber 109 between the two differential areas or" the valve 107. This bypass is provided with a normally closed valve 110. This valve which controls the bypass is maintained in its closed position by a permanent magnet- 111 and a lever 112. This arrangement is similar in all respects to the magnet 71 and lever 72 which control the ssslssa" 71- and associated parts is 'more fully shown in Figs. 22, and 24. An electro-magnet 11 3 is associated with the permanent magnet 111 and provided with an armature arrangement for causing the magnet 111 to release the lever 112, in the same manner that the magnet 74 effects a release of the lever 72. It will be observed, however, that the armature 75 is adapted to keep the spring contacts 1141 normally closed, and that these contacts are included in the shunt or short circuit extending around the said magnet 1123. Consequently, when the magnet 74 is energized, the contacts 114 are allowed to separate, the short circuit 58 around the magnet 113 is opened, and the latter is allowed to then effect the release of the lever 112 and the opening of the valve 110. hen opened, the valve 110 permits water to pass through the by-pass and exert pressure in the chamber 109. The sudden injection of water at great pressure into the chamber 109 will effectually open the valve 107. Thus the sprinkler heads are arranged to exert a certaln amountof control both over the relief valve and the dry pipe valve. The pulsation caused by a sudden opening of a sprinkler head is always sufficient to effect an opening of the shunt 26, through the medium of the pressure device 70, and to there by. cause an energizing of the magnets 74, 78, 97 and 113, the magnet 78 not being energized until the water reaches the float operated circuit breaking device 75. (See Fig. 11.) It will be observed that all of these magnets are provided with means whereby a small short circuit or shunt is established about their coils as soon as their armatures and permit the master box to utilize the loop as a portion of the signaling circuit.

Fig.v 8 illustrates another, and perhaps more preferable, form of relief valve. In this case, the valve comprises an upper disk 116 adapted to rest normally irpon the valve seat 117, and held in its closed position by the pressure of a screw 118011' the trigger device 119. The arrangement for opening this valve, so as to release the air, comprises a pressure operated circuit breaking device 120, similar in all respects to the device 7 0, previously described. It also comprises a pressure operated impact device 121 connected by a branch pipe 122 with a pipe 12 leading to the device 120. This branch pipe 122 is provided with a controlling valve 12$ adapted to be held normally closed by a permanent magnet 125 and :1V lever 126, similar in all respects to the devices previously described. The pressure operated impact de the 'waterpressure' admitted below'the piston 139 forces it' upward and thus allows the dry pipe valve. The magnet.144'is"eiiervice am be constructed as shown in Fig. 26. --It comprises a chamber 127 adapted to contain a flexible diaphragm 128. This chamber communicates at one side of the diaphragm with the pipe 122 and at the other side with an aperture through which extends the piston or plunger 129. This plan'- ger, orv impact member, as it'may be called, is secured to the diaphragm andgis adapted to strike the horizontal memberv 130 of the trigger device 119 when sufficient-pressure is exerted upon the said diaphragm. Suppose now that a sprinkler head is opened. The pulsation causes the'device 120 to open the shunt or short circuit extending around the magnet 131,. thereby causing the permanent-magnet 125 to release the lever 126. When released, this lever permits the valve 124 to open and allow air pressure to be ex-, erted constantly upon the diaphragm 128. Thiskicks the trigger members out of place and permits the valve 116 to open. The air rushes out immediately and allows the water to enter the pipes quickly and in time to escape from the sprinkler head before the fire gains any considerable headway. The that 132 rises as soon as the water enters the valve casing, thereby causingthe lower valve 133 to close the outlet normally controlled by the valve 116. The relief valve, regardless of construction, can be inclosed by a casing 134 having a. suitable door held closed by the lock 135. The previously described tamper or circuit breaking device 136, of any suitable character,- can be associated with this lock and included in the shunt 29. Thus, as previously described, any attempt to tamper with the relief valve mechanism will result in a breaking of the shunt 29 and the consequent transmission of a signal to headquarters.

Ifdesired, the dry ipe valve can be con-. structed as shown in 1g. 6. This, like the valve shown in Fig.8, is a well known. and

well understood form of valve. In Fig. 6

the maintenance of the valve inclosed within.

the casing 137 in its, closed position is dependent upon'the preservation of sufficient air pressure in the chamber 138. As long as the proper pressure is maintainedin this chamber the piston 139 r ains seated and prevents the trigger mechaism 140, from releasing the valve stem; 141 of the dry pipe- 1 valve.- The by-pass 142 extends around the dry pipe valve and connects with the chamber 138' at a point below thepiston 139. 'Thusas soon as the by-pass valve 143 is opened by the energizing of the magnet 144,

trigger mechanismto release the stem of the gi'ze'd in the same way as the magnet 113 is efiergiad,"aiid"the of connection be.

tween this finagnetand the valve 143jis the I same as in Fig. ,5. 'In eachcase a permanent magnet is employed to k'ee the by; pass valve normally closed. I-

- 6, or even the one shown in Fig. 9. In Fig.

12 the pressure actuated circuitopening'device 120 is employed to control a shunt ex tending around all three of the magnets. Thus when this shunt is opened as a result of a pulsation in the air pressure, all of the magnets are energized. This effects a siinultaneous opening of the relief and dry pipe valves, and also a release of the normally wound up clock work in the master box.

Fig. 7 illustrates the method of arranging the piping in a building, and shows a sys-' tem equipped with a relief valve such as shown in Fig. 8, and with a dry pipe valve such as the one shown in Fig. 5.

Fig. 9 illustrates another form of dry pipe valve. previously described, it is necessary that considerable air pressure be maintained in the dry portion of the piping in order-t0 keep the dry pipe valve closed. This, however, is not necessary when a valve of the character shown in Fig. '9 is employed. In this fi me the dry pipe valve 145 is held normally closed by the screw 146 which bears upon and looks a trigger device 147.

The mechanism for releasing the valve thus locked in place is substantially like that shown in Fig. 8. In fact these two valves, to Wit: those shown in Figs. 8 and 9, are

exactly alike with the exception that in Fig. ""9 it is not necessary to employ the float 132 and the valve 133. Furthermore, in Fig. 9 there is no pressure operated circuit breaking device, such-as theone 120 in Fig. 8. Inv Fig. there is, however, a pressure operated impact device 148,

Vith the forms of dry pipe Valve which is similar in all respects to the device 121 inlFig. 8, and which when operated is adapted to release the trigger devices 147 by producing an impact upon: the trigger member 149. The pipe 150 extends from below the valve 145 and leads tb thesaid :impact device 148. The valve 151, similar to the valve 124, normally'closes this pipe Fig. 14 illustrates another method of usingthe valve shown in Fig. 9. In this diagram it will be seen thatall of. the sprinklerheads are arranged in a parallel connection or lshunt extending around the electromagnet 152. This electro-magnet when energized is-fadapted tojcause the permanent magi'iet' 153 to release the lever-154 in thebox Thus the sprinkler heads and the said clectro-magnets are connected in paral-- lel in the said shunt. As the resistance of the contacts in the sprinkler heads is practically nothi ng, the current normally does not. traverse the coil of the said electro-magnet. Now, with this arrangement, the opening of a sprinkler head opens the parallel connection 15: and thereby causes current to pass through the coil of the electro-magnet 152. The said magnet then becomes energized, attracts its armature, and thereby causes the permanent magnet 153 to release the lever 15 1, allowing the valve 151 to open. The admission of water through the pipe 150 causes the impact device 148 to trip the trigger device 1 17, thereby allowing the water pressure to open the valve 145. With this arrangement, only a float-operated valve 158 is necessary at the'upper part of the riser.

This valve permits the air to escape as the water fills the piping, but closes promptly as soon as the water reaches it. This arrangement also preferably involves anot or master box 159 having a shunt 160. The said shunt 160 includes a tamper or circuit breaking device 161 onthe main valve of the piping, and also another suitable circuit breaking device 162 on the casing 163 which incloses the dry pipe valve. Thus the master box 159 will transmit a signal whenever the said main valve or the dry pipe valve is tampered with. A check valve 16$ is preferably provided in the riser at a point immediately above the dry pipe valve shown in Fig. 9.

Any sr' itable sprinkler head may be employed or accomplishing the results and methods of operation set forth in connection with Fig. 14. For example, the sprinkler head may be provided with a pair of contacts 165, normally connected by the contact piece 166. The conductors of the parallel connections 157 can connect with the binding posts 167 upon which the said contacts 165 are mounted. Thus the sprinkler heads in clude the said normally closed contacts. The

wiring of the connection 157 can be inclosed in the tubing or pip ng 168 and a split collar 16:) can be employed for connecting the top or crown 17 0 of the sprinkler head with the said tubing. Preferably, each sprinkler head is provided with a copper seat 17]. adapted to encircle the outlet 172. A pair of upper interlocking members 173'and 174 are aror interlocking portion bearing against the under side of the crown or top 170. The lower locking memhere 175 and 176 have their outer ends partially curled around and soldered to the depending end portions of the interlocking members 173 and 174. These soldered oints are preferably reinforced by bent pieces of assess wire 177 and 178. The lower depending end portions of the members 175 and 176 engage a seat 179 in the top of the valve or button 180. The end portion 181 of this valve'or button is preferably composed of carbon and is rounded or otherwise adapted to fit the valve seat provided by the copper ring 171. The contact 166 is held normally in place to complete the circuit by means of the rod 182 having its lower end adapted to be sup ported by a projection 183 on the top of the interlockin members. Preferably, this said rod eXt-ends threaded plug 184. The deflector or device 185 for producing the spray is preferably screwed upon the upper end of the frame or body 186 of thesprinkler head. \Vith this arrangement, the sprinkler head is opened as soon as the soldered joints are softened,

and the giving away of the locking members also releases the contact piece 166 and allows the spring 187 to press it downward and thereby open the circuit of the parallel connection 157. The peculiar arrangement of the locking members is very eflicient in keeping the sprinkler head closed. The screw threaded plug 184 can be screwed down until the desired pressure or tension is obtained.

.If desired, the electrical contacts can be omitted, as indicated in Fig. 21. A

Fig. 10 illustrates the method of installing the piping of a system involving a dry pipe valve and sprinkler heads of the character shown in Figs. 14: and 9. It will be understood, however, that the piping of the sprinkler or automatic fire extinguisher system ran be installed inany suitable or approved manner.

It is of course obvious that the diaphragm device shown in Fig. 25 can be employed to effect a mechanical release or opening of a valve, as well as an electrical releasing or opening of such valve. For example, an arrangement such as shown in Fig. 29 may be employed. In this figure the flexible spring 188, which corresponds to the flexible spring 93 is provided with teeth adapted to engage the teeth on a pivoted lever 189. 190' may represent the end ofione of the levers previouslyjdescribed as a means for enabling a permanent magnet'to hold a valve in a closed position. The end of this lever 190 is locked against movement by the pin 191., the lower end of which latter engages the upper end of the lever 189. Thus, upon a sudden pulsation of the air pressure, the diaphragm will be given a vibratory movement sufiicient to cause the spring 188 to release the lever 189, and to thereby r lease the lever or other movable member 195. In such case a resistance coil 192 can be employed to maintain the of an electric circuit which'normally includes; the con-fact and metal portions 188 and 189.

Thus with the arrangement shown in Fig.

electrical continuity 

